How the Canada Family Open Work Permit is Changing in 2025?

The Canada Family Open Work Permit program is undergoing major changes starting January 21, 2025, as announced by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Part of the update deals with who spouses and common-law partners of international students and foreign workers are eligible for. If you’re navigating these changes, consult the Best Canada Immigration Consultants for expert guidance tailored to your needs.

New Criteria for International Students

Eligibility for the Canada Family Open Work Permit for spouses or common-law partners will now be limited to:

Students enrolled in Master’s programs lasting 16 months or longer
Doctoral programs
Specific professional and eligible programs, including:
- Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS, DMD)
- Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor (LLB, JD, BCL)
- Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- Doctor of Optometry (OD)
- Pharmacy (PharmD, BSc, BPharm)
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN, BSN)
- Bachelor of Nursing (BN, BNSc)
- Bachelor of Education (BEd)
- Bachelor of Engineering (BEng, BASc, BE)

Changes for Foreign Workers

The Canada Family Open Work Permit for spouses of foreign workers will now apply only if the worker is employed in:

TEER 0 or TEER 1 occupations
Select TEER 2 and TEER 3 roles in:
- Natural sciences
- Construction
- Healthcare
- Natural resources
- Education
- Sports
- Military

To qualify, foreign workers must have at least 16 months remaining on their work permit at the time of their spouse’s application. Notably, dependent children of foreign workers will no longer be eligible for family OWPs.

Changes for Foreign Workers

The Canada Family Open Work Permit for spouses of foreign workers will now apply only if the worker is employed in:

TEER 0 or TEER 1 occupations
Select TEER 2 and TEER 3 roles in:
- Natural sciences
- Construction
- Healthcare
- Natural resources
- Education
- Sports
- Military

Foreign workers need to still be residents on their work permit past 16 months before their spouse applies. Additionally, foreign worker’s dependent children will no longer be eligible for family OWPs.

Part of a wider suite of measures

Targets for work permit holders under each program are listed below:

Work permit type	2025	2026	2027
International Mobility Program (IMP)	285,750	128,700	155,700
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)	82,000	82,000	82,000
Total	367,750	210,700	237,700

Renewals and PGWP Eligibility requirements (Study permit application submitted before Nov. 1, 2024):

Level of study	Language requirements	Field of study requirements
University bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral programs	English or French language proficiency equivalent to a level 7 CLB/NCLC in all four language abilities.	N/A
University programs not listed above	English or French language proficiency equivalent to a level 7 CLB/NCLC in all four language abilities.	N/A
College program or other non-university program	English or French language proficiency equivalent to a level 5 CLB/NCLC in all four language abilities.	N/A

PGWP Eligibility requirements (Study permit application submitted after Nov. 1, 2024):

Level of study	Language requirements	Field of study requirements
University bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral programs	English or French language proficiency equivalent to a level 7 CLB/NCLC in all four language abilities.	N/A
University programs not listed above	English or French language proficiency equivalent to a level 7 CLB/NCLC in all four language abilities.	Must have graduated from an eligible field of study.
College program or other non-university program	English or French language proficiency equivalent to a level 5 CLB/NCLC in all four language abilities.	Must have graduated from an eligible field of study.

Renewals and Validity

Existing Canada Family Open Work Permits issued under previous policies will remain valid until their expiry. In the case where a family member received a shorter work permit than the one that was issued to the sponsoring permit holder, they can screen for renewal as long as the new duration is the same as that which is valid in the work or study permit of the permit holder.

Exemptions

The exemptions include spouses of individuals covered by free trade agreements (FTAs) or those sponsored for permanent residence (PR). Those granted legal temporary status as a PR applicant in Canada can still apply for the Spousal Open Work Permit (SOWP).

Part of Broader Immigration Reforms

These changes are part of IRCC’s response to housing and affordability issues by curbing temporary residents, including family OWPs. Other proposed reforms include tighter eligibility for a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP), language proficiency requirements, and field of study requirements for certain applicants.

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